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An activation of the vascular and neuronal KCNQ5 potassium channel contributes significantly to vasodilation by both green and black tea; the tea polyphenols ECG and EGCG are major contributors to this effect, via hyperpolarization of the voltage dependence of KCNQ5 activation; ECG and EGCG or optimized derivatives of these compounds are candidates for future anti-hypertensive drug development. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Two Tea Compounds Found to Relax Blood Vessels

Mar 10, 2021 by News Staff

A team of researchers from the University of California, Irvine and the University of Copenhagen has found that two polyphenol compounds found in green...

In the two prospective cohorts with many repeated measurements of diet and up to 30 years of follow-up, Wang et al. observed that a higher intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of total mortality and cause-specific mortality; their analysis in the NHS and the HPFS and in a meta-analysis of 26 prospective cohort studies documented that intake of approximately 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily was associated with the lowest mortality, and higher intake was not associated with additional risk reductions in mortality. Image credit: Julita / Pasja1000.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Could Lead to Longer Life

Mar 3, 2021 by News Staff

A team of U.S. researchers has found an inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and mortality in two large prospective cohorts, the Nurses’...

Osteoclasts are large multinucleated bone-resorbing cells formed by the fusion of monocyte/macrophage-derived precursors that are thought to undergo apoptosis once resorption is complete; By intravital imaging, we reveal that RANKL-stimulated osteoclasts have an alternative cell fate in which they fission into daughter cells called osteomorphs. Image credit: McDonald et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.002.

New Type of Bone Cell Discovered: Osteomorphs

Mar 2, 2021 by News Staff

Osteomorphs are found in the blood and bone marrow, and fuse together to form osteoclasts, the cells that are specialized in resorbing bone. Osteomorph...

This digitally colorized, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, depicts a clump of yellow-colored, spheroid shaped, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that were enmeshed in a blue-colored, filamentous extracellular matrix, which normally binds cells together within the body’s various tissue types Image credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Artificial Sweeteners May Play Role in Spread of Antibiotic Resistance

Feb 26, 2021 by News Staff

Four commonly used artificial sweeteners – saccharine, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium — can promote the horizontal transfer...

Zhou & Hyppönen observed a positive dose-dependent association between self-reported coffee intake and plasma concentration of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, with the highest lipid levels seen among participants reported drinking over 6 cups/day. Image credit: Ermal Tahiri.

Heavy Coffee Consumption May Increase Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Feb 25, 2021 by News Staff

Long-term heavy coffee consumption (six or more cups a day) may lead to unfavourable lipid (fat) profile, which could potentially increase individuals’...

Lin et al. examined whether daily caffeine intake affects human gray matter through the mediation of homeostatic sleep pressure. Image credit: Bru-nO.

Daily Caffeine Intake Induces Changes in Gray Matter, Study Shows

Feb 24, 2021 by News Staff

Caffeine, a psychostimulant commonly used to combat high sleep pressure on a daily basis, alters gray matter structures; however, the effect appears to...

Quercetin and DHBA, natural compounds found in apples, are pro-neurogenic. Image credit: Ichwan et al., doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.01.005.

Apples Contain Pro-Neurogenic Compounds in Both Their Peel and Flesh: Study

Feb 18, 2021 by News Staff

Quercetin and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), phytonutrients commonly found in apples, may help stimulate the production of new brain cells, according...

Zhao et al. provide insights into the mechanisms for EGCG’s anticancer activity and identifies p53 N-terminal domain as a target for cancer drug discovery through dynamic interactions with small molecules. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Green Tea Compound Stabilizes ‘Guardian of the Genome’ Protein

Feb 17, 2021 by News Staff

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol found in the leaves of green tea (Camellia sinensis), may increase levels of the natural anti-cancer protein...

Drinking one or more cups of caffeinated coffee may reduce heart failure risk.

Coffee Consumption Reduces Incident Heart Failure Risk, New Research Suggests

Feb 15, 2021 by News Staff

Higher intake of caffeinated coffee was found to be associated with reduced risk of heart failure in three large, well-known heart disease studies: the...

Caffeine is a known neuromodulator that is commonly consumed throughout pregnancy. Image credit: Poohchisa Tunsiri.

Caffeine During Pregnancy Is Not a Good Idea, Researchers Say

Feb 10, 2021 by News Staff

Caffeine consumed during pregnancy can change important brain pathways that could lead to behavioral problems later in life, according to new research...

Grapes may help protect against damage to the skin caused by solar UV radiation. Image credit: Bru-nO.

Grape Consumption Protects Human Skin from UV-Induced Photodamage

Feb 5, 2021 by News Staff

Polyphenols, a group of natural compounds found in grapes as well as other fruits and vegetables, are key compounds responsible for ultraviolet (UV)-photoprotection,...

Power et al. revealed that there were declines of approximately two IQ points over time in young people who use cannabis frequently compared to those who didn’t use cannabis; further analysis suggested that this decline in IQ points was primarily related to reduction in verbal IQ. Image credit: Felipe B. Marques.

Frequent Cannabis Use in Adolescence May Lower Your IQ

Feb 3, 2021 by News Staff

A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven longitudinal studies published in the journal Psychological Medicine shows evidence for an almost two-point...

Ingredients in oolong tea can stimulate fat oxidation. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Drinking Oolong Tea May Help Reduce Body Fat

Jan 13, 2021 by Enrico de Lazaro

In a study published recently in the journal Nutrients, oolong tea and pure caffeine increased fat breakdown by about 20% in the healthy volunteers; oolong...

Ginger is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, and has traditionally been used as an herbal supplement in the treatment of various chronic diseases. Image credit: Joseph Mucira.

Ginger-Derived Compound May Help Prevent Lupus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Jan 7, 2021 by News Staff

In a study published in the journal JCI Insight, 6-gingerol, the most abundant bioactive compound of ginger root, lowered autoantibody production and helped...

Brown Fat May Protect against Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases

Jan 5, 2021 by News Staff

White fat stores excess energy, whereas brown and beige fat are thermogenic and dissipate energy as heat. But it is unclear whether individuals with ample...

Postmenopausal women who ate a half cup of Ataulfo mangoes 4 times a week saw a 23% decrease in deep wrinkles after 2 months and a 20% decrease after 4 months. Image credit: Liwan Chun.

Mangoes May Help Reduce Facial Wrinkles in Women

Jan 2, 2021 by Enrico de Lazaro

According to a clinical pilot study published in the journal Nutrients, regular intake of modest amounts of Ataulfo mangoes may improve facial wrinkles...

An artist’s impression of the multidrug-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Image credit: Jennifer Oosthuizen / Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit, CDC.

New Antibiotics Fight Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria

Dec 29, 2020 by News Staff

A group of compounds called IspH inhibitors are very potent against several multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including those from the genera...

Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 has promising potential to be developed as a valuable supplement in reducing specific markers of obesity and is poised to have significant relevance in conditions of heightened blood glucose, such as type 2 diabetes. Image credit: Ali et al., doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1333400.

New Strain of Bifidobacterium May Help Improve Metabolic and Mental Health

Dec 22, 2020 by News Staff

The supplementation of a novel strain of Bifidobacterium longum, designated APC1472, in otherwise healthy overweight and obese individuals reduced their...

Fresh Hass avocado intake over a 12-week period resulted in changes to the fecal microbiota and increased concentrations of microbially derived metabolites among adults with overweight and obesity. Image credit: Sandid.

Daily Avocado Consumption Improves Gut Health, New Study Suggests

Dec 21, 2020 by News Staff

Avocado affects digestive physiology of the intestinal microbiota as well as its composition and metabolic functions, according to a study published in...